Sawmill Peak group dissolves

PARADISE &GT;&GT; After about 10 years, Les Olinger is passing the torch. As president of the nonprofit Friends of Sawmill Peak, Olinger has been a vocal and active supporter of keeping the Sawmill Peak lookout tower staffed during the summer fire season.

When locals raised funds for the lookout tower, it was held by the nonprofit, which distributed the money to Cal Fire at the end of the year. Olinger even went so far as to open the Lookout Store, a second-hand store with all the profits going toward the lookout.

During July staffing, Olinger would haul the media up to the lookout so the public would know it was staffed and the donated money was being well spent.

But on Thursday, Olinger said the nonprofit will be dissolved and the Lookout Store will close up shop by Nov. 1.

The decision comes after a Wednesday meeting with Cal Fire, Sen. Jim Nielson, Assemblyman Brian Dahle, Butte County Supervisor Doug Teeter and Bare on the Ridge.

"I went to the board, we talked about it and decided it was time to walk away," Olinger said.

He said he was thinking about retiring last year anyway, and with Bare on the Ridge now giving its proceeds to the Butte County Fire Safe Council, he felt it was a good time to get out.

"Bare on the Ridge has done a good job of collecting money, I'm confident they will do a fine job of keeping the fire lookout open," he said.

Butte County Fire Safe Council Chairman Darrel Wilson said Bare on the Ridge did not have a 501c3 status, which is why they approached the council.

"(Bare on the Ridge) came to us to ask if they could (join) with the 501c3 that we have," he said.

The council's board talked about it and created a specific account for Bare on the Ridge.

"All that money they raise will go to Sawmill Peak," he said.

Starting Thursday, and continuing every weekend to Nov. 1, the Lookout Store is hosting a liquidation sale of all its inventory. Whatever is left will be offered to Bare on the Ridge or thrown away.

It costs about $8,000 per month to staff the fire lookout from July to October. Traditionally, Olinger would raise the first two month's funds and once news got out that there was someone up on the tower, donations for the last two months would start rolling in.

This year the lookout will not be staffed until August. Olinger said a paperwork error delayed the process, though there is one Cal Fire employee who qualified for the spot.

In the past, retired Cal Fire workers were allowed to apply for the job, but this year the paperwork didn't indicate that the job was open to Cal Fire retirees. Once that is fixed, Olinger said he believes at least one more person will be hired to help staff the lookout.

Wilson said the delay in getting the lookout staffed this year was due to the state's hiring rules. This year, Cal Fire clarified the official job description for the tower position, which put the hiring process under the state hiring code, he said.

There are other issues with Sawmill Peak, he said, such as the constant vandalism and property ownership. Though the tower is owned by Cal Fire, the land it sits on is in the Lassen National Forest, owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

Additionally, Wilson said Cal Fire feels Bald Mountain is a better lookout than Sawmill Peak because Bald Mountain can cover more area.

"That's fine, but Sawmill Peak gives a closer focus on Paradise and Magalia, and for the residents here that's a greater concern," Wilson said.

Lookout staffers are paid entirely through community donations. No Cal Fire money is used to staff the lookout.

Currently, there is about $16,000 sitting in the bank for the tower. Olinger said once everything in the store is liquidated and the nonprofit is officially dissolved, he will cut a check for Cal Fire.

Olinger thanked the community and local organizations for supporting the lookout and hopes they will continue to donate so the lookout can be staffed.

Officials from Cal Fire, the Butte Fire Safe Council and Bare on the Ridge were not available for comment by press time.